The mother of Philippine democracy, the late president Corazon “Cory” Aquino (María Corazón Sumúlong Cojuangco) celebrates her 77th birthday on January 25. Cory is the sixth of eight children of Don Jose Cojuangco of Tarlac, a wealthy Chinese Filipino and Doña Demetria Sumúlong, a pure Filipina who came from a politically influence clan. She married Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr, and graced with for children Maria Elena (Ballsy) is the eldest, followed by Aurora Corazon (Pinky), Benigno Simeon III (NoyNoy), Victoria Eliza (Viel) and Kristina Bernadette (Kris). Ninoy is one of the leading critics of the Marcos regime and leads to his assassination last August 21, 1983 after his exile from the United States. She challenges the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos is the president during that time that leads to snap election where the former senator Salvador Laurel runs with her as his vice president. She leads the EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986 after the Marcos allies dominated Batasan Pambansa proclaimed Marcos as the winner. The presidential power shifted to Cory last February 1986 and Marcos was ousted from the position. Her came to power is not a smooth sailing like other presidents who assumes the position she faces coup attempts and calamities until she ended her position in 1992. Her administration focused on concerns like civil liberties, human rights, peace talks and dialogues with the communist insurgents and Muslim secessionists. Cory remained active participant on social issues where she remains vocal with her views and opinions. She was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2008 and died on August 1, 2009, millions mourned on the death of the Saint of Democracy as TIME Magazine called her. Her remains was buried beside her husband’s body at the North Cemetery and few months after her son Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III proclaims his candidacy with his running mate Manuel “Mar” Roxas II for the National Election this May 10 under the Liberal Party.
Various tributes we’re given to the later President Cory Aquino including the naming of halls and buildings from different schools and companies like in the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. Theater performances and plays were also staged in various areas in remembrance to the courage that Cory showed to her countrymen including the her story with Ninoy on ABS-CBN’s Maalaala Mo Kaya where Bea Alonzo plays her role and Piolo Pascual is doing Ninoy’s. And commemorative novelty items such as magazines, shirts, album, books, pins and others where produced to support her advocacy which is micro-financing that will aid mothers to work on livelihood programs, this is an additional project done under the Benigno Aquino S. Jr. Foundation.
This January 25, 2010 it may not be a special holiday but one of the tributes to be given on Cory’s 77th Birthday will happen on the Ateneo de Manila University, this event is possible by Benigno Ninoy S. Aquino Jr. Foundation:
REMEMBERING CORY,
REKINDLING HER SPIRIT OF SACRIFICE:
January 25, 2010 (Monday)
Church of the Gesu, Ateneo de Manila University Campus
Program Summary
4:30 p.m. – Video Presentation
5:00 p.m. – Concelebrated Mass with Bishop Socrates B. Villegas, Main Presider and Preacher
6:30 p.m. – Concert Tribute to President Cory and Launch of iamninoy-iamcory, a movement that engages the youth to live out the spirit of sacrifice exemplified by Ninoy and Cory Aquino.
*Image from Cory Magazine of ABS-CBN Publishing
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